Abstract
Marine fishery has a central role in the economic growth of our country and livelihood for the coastal population and evaluation of fish egg abundance is important for the sustainable fisheries. The estimation of fish egg abundance is mainly carried out by sampling in discrete locations using plankton nets which is labor intensive. Hence, the continuous underway fish egg sampler (CUFES), an instrument specifically designed to sample fish eggs was operated for the first time in the northern Indian Ocean. Operation of CUFES was successful in providing a detailed distribution and abundance of fish eggs from a broader region along the ship-track. The distinct hydrographical characteristics and the concurrent variability in the phytoplankton standing stock of the Arabian Sea resulted in the evident spatial disparity in the distribution and abundance of fish eggs. The broader area coverage, reliable data sets and ease in operation makes CUFES a potential sampling method in providing accurate information on the fish egg distribution in Indian waters.
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The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India and Director, Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi (India) for providing the facilities onboard FORV Sagar Sampada for installation and operation of CUFES. The authors wish to thank navigational, technical and scientific participants of FORV Sagar Sampada Cruise no: 380. This is CMLRE contribution 155.
Funding
The work was funded by Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
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RMP analysed sample and helped in writing MS. KKK analysed samples, wrote MS. SSC provided editorial advice. SG estimated the diameter of fish egg. SN designed the study and provided editorial advice.
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Significance Statement
Continuous underway fish egg sampler, an instrument designed to sample fish eggs was operated first time in Indian Ocean and was successful in providing their detailed distribution and abundance along the ship-track. The broader area coverage, reliable data and ease in operation makes it potential gear for sampling fish egg.
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Rajeesh, M.P., Karati, K.K., Cubelio, S.S. et al. Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES); a Prospective Sampling Strategy for Assessing the Fish Egg Distribution and Abundance in the Northern Indian Ocean. Natl. Acad. Sci. Lett. 45, 457–461 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-022-01132-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40009-022-01132-8